SSS Ranked God Marked

The fluorescent lights of the laboratory cast harsh shadows across the scientist's face as he watched the serpent's approach. His heart raced wildly in his chest, each beat a thunderous drum that seemed to shake his entire body. The combination of terror and rushing adrenaline proved too much for his system to handle. His eyes rolled back as consciousness slipped away from him, his body crumpling to the sterile laboratory floor with a dull thud that echoed through the room.

In that moment of unconsciousness, something entirely unexpected occurred. The snake, positioned mere inches from its helpless prey, suddenly halted its advance. Its head began weaving side to side in an unnatural motion, as though it had suddenly lost all sense of direction. The serpent's movements became increasingly erratic, its tongue flicking rapidly as if trying to catch a scent that had mysteriously vanished.

Raxa recognized the opportunity presented by the snake's strange behavior. With the speed and precision of a trained fighter, he launched himself forward. His fingers closed around the snake's body just behind its head, his grip perfectly positioned to neutralize the creature's striking ability. Years of combat experience were evident in the controlled pressure he applied – enough to restrain, but not enough to cause immediate harm.

The change in Zilant's demeanor was instantaneous and dramatic. The cruel smile that had played across his features moments before vanished, replaced by an expression of raw terror. "No!" he cried out, his voice cracking with genuine fear. Tears began streaming down his face, cutting clean paths through the grime and dust that had accumulated there during their confrontation. "Please, don't hurt it!"

Raxa's only response was to tighten his grip ever so slightly. The incremental increase in pressure drew more tears from Zilant's eyes, each droplet falling to the laboratory floor like tiny crystals catching the harsh overhead lights. His breathing became ragged, desperate sounds escaping his throat as he watched his companion in Raxa's merciless grip.

"Raxa," Larry's voice cut through the tension, firm and commanding. "Stop."

The laboratory fell silent save for Zilant's ragged breathing and the distant hum of equipment. After what felt like an eternity but was likely only seconds, Raxa made his decision. He hurled the snake toward the nearest wall, calculating the force perfectly – enough to make his point crystal clear, but not enough to cause lasting damage to the creature. Larry's restraining hand fell away from his shoulder, and what happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion.

Zilant's composure shattered completely. All pretense of dignity forgotten, he scrambled across the laboratory floor on his hands and knees, his movements frantic and desperate. Upon reaching his serpentine companion, he gathered it into his arms with remarkable gentleness, his touch as delicate as that of a mother cradling her newborn. The snake's tongue flicked out rapidly, tasting the air around them as it regarded its master with what appeared to be genuine concern.

With hands that trembled noticeably, Zilant reached into one of the many pockets of his worn combat vest. He produced a dead mouse, its gray fur matted and lifeless. With practiced care, he positioned the offering near the snake's mouth. The creature struck with lightning speed, its jaws unhinging to swallow the meal whole. After consuming its prey, the snake's eyes drifted shut in what appeared to be contentment, its body relaxing visibly in Zilant's protective embrace.

"Whatcha gonna do now?" Raxa's question carried a peculiar mix of curiosity and challenge, his stance still ready for any potential threat.

Zilant's shoulders slumped in visible defeat, his next words barely above a whisper but clear in the silence of the laboratory. "We surrender."

"Fine," Larry responded, his analytical gaze studying the pair before him. "But there's only you, so why say 'we'?"

A ghost of a smile played across Zilant's features, a tiny spark of his former confidence returning. "There's two of us - me and my snake buddy."

"I figured as much!" Raxa declared, triumph coloring his voice. "Your main power, your trump card, is that snake combined with your Psychometry ability."

Zilant nodded slowly, his hand moving in gentle, soothing strokes along the snake's scales. "That's right."

"I'm sorry that we hurt your buddy," Larry said, genuine remorse evident in his tone. "But you have a choice now. You can either leave and never attempt to harm this scientist again, or you can join us."

"That's a great idea!" Raxa interjected, his earlier hostility seemingly forgotten in the face of this new possibility.

"Join you?" Zilant's voice was thick with disbelief, his eyes darting between the two men as if searching for some hidden deception or trap.

"Yes," Larry confirmed, his voice steady and assured. "If you join Pandion, you'll have access to everything you've missed out on as a mercenary. A stable life, purpose, maybe even friendship."

Zilant's brow furrowed in thought, his fingers still absently stroking the snake's scales. "That's... that's a great offer. But I'm your enemy. Are you guys sure about this?"

"Hundred percent!" Raxa's enthusiasm was unexpected but unmistakably genuine.

"Exactly," Larry affirmed, nodding in agreement.

"I need two minutes," Zilant murmured, turning his attention fully to his serpentine companion.

While Zilant engaged in what appeared to be an intense consultation with his snake, their silent communion punctuated by subtle movements and gentle touches, Raxa and Larry turned their attention to the unconscious scientist. They retrieved water from a nearby sink and poured it over his face, causing him to sputter awake with a startled gasp. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the changed situation with obvious confusion.

"Doc," Raxa said urgently, once the scientist had regained his bearings. "I need that antidote you invented."

The scientist's face creased with professional concern as he pushed himself into a sitting position. "It's still in the early stages of development. I haven't tested it on anyone yet - I can't guarantee it will work, or that it won't have serious side effects."

"Just get it over with," Raxa insisted, determination evident in his stance. "No one's gonna blame you if I die, I swear."

With visible reluctance, the scientist rose shakily to his feet and made his way to a nearby storage unit. He produced a vial containing an electric blue serum that seemed to glow faintly under the laboratory lights. "Don't worry too much," he added, noting Raxa's expression. "It's just a microdose. It shouldn't be too harmful to your body system."

Meanwhile, Zilant had been whispering intently to his snake, their silent communion creating an almost tangible connection between them. Finally, he looked up, his decision apparently made. "We'll join, but on one condition."

"Glad to hear it," Larry replied, his posture relaxing slightly. "What's your condition?"

"We won't be treated like freaks."

Larry's response was immediate and accompanied by a slight smile. "Of course not. We already have one freak with us, so you'll fit right in."

"I can hear you!" Raxa called out indignantly from where he stood with the scientist, his voice echoing off the laboratory walls.

"Oh, and one more thing," Zilant added, his expression serious. "My snake buddy says you guys are no saviors - just maggots of patheticness."

"That's disrespectful," Larry frowned, crossing his arms. "Tell him to watch his tongue in the future."

"Larry, it's okay!" Raxa interjected with a dangerous grin. "Next time, its head will be on my platter."

"What?!" Zilant's face darkened with rage, his body tensing visibly.

"Just kidding!" Larry hurried to explain, shooting Raxa a warning glance. "He didn't mean it!"

"I'm used to threats," Zilant shrugged, his anger dissipating as quickly as it had appeared. "Nothing new." He extended one pale hand toward Larry, the gesture both a peace offering and a symbol of their new agreement.

Larry grasped it firmly, sealing their arrangement. "Welcome to Pandion."

"Sweet," Zilant replied, then gestured to his companion with evident pride. "And this is Nego."

"Rare naming," Larry observed, studying the snake with newfound interest. "It's unusual - I've never heard anything quite like it before."

"I made it up!" Zilant admitted, a note of pride creeping into his voice.

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden cry from Raxa. His body began to glow with an intense light that gradually faded, taking with it all traces of the venom's effects. The scientist's eyes widened in amazement at his antidote's success, his earlier concerns replaced by professional satisfaction. The blue serum had worked exactly as intended, perhaps even better than he had dared to hope.

"Let's leave," Raxa suggested, already heading for the laboratory door, his movements showing no sign of the venom that had threatened his life moments before.

The unlikely trio departed together, their footsteps echoing through the sterile corridors as they made their way toward the Gamblo family residence.

As they walked, the tension that had defined their earlier interactions slowly began to dissipate, replaced by an awkward but not entirely uncomfortable silence.

The snake, Nego, remained coiled contentedly around Zilant's shoulders, its scales reflecting the fluorescent lights they passed under like tiny mirrors.

Behind them, the scientist watched their departure through the laboratory windows, still processing the strange turn of events that had transformed a deadly confrontation into an unexpected alliance. He turned back to his workspace, already mentally composing notes about the successful test of his antidote, though he suspected that particular detail might need to be left out of the official documentation.

The sound of their footsteps gradually faded away, leaving the laboratory in silence save for the steady hum of equipment.

The earlier signs of their confrontation remained visible in the scattered papers and overturned chairs, but the outcome had been something none of them could have predicted.

As they disappeared from view, the scientist couldn't help but wonder what other surprises this unusual alliance might bring in the future of gangs history.